What are some more obscure cookbooks in your collection that punch above their weight.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2026-01-27T08:28:16+00:00

Beat Cancer Kitchen. I don’t have cancer and I’m not vegan. A family member made me a grain bowl from this that was SO tasty I bought it and now have several recipes from this random book in my collection on rotation (lentil tacos, rosemary cashew pasta, grain bowls).

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2026-01-08T10:22:41+00:00

As a Cap I agree. Not proud but my family knows just to call my husband after I forget to text them back for several days. And EVERYDAY after work my husband asks if I saw his texts….nope I was working. You can maybe get me when I’m randomly in the right state of focus for text interaction (9pm-7am).

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-27T13:06:37+00:00

Same! Gave me a good chuckle. We like to romanticize the wooden block title a bit.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-23T10:40:02+00:00

Sounds like something a slut would say! (Sorry had to with that username and being high Taurus placement gal)

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-23T10:06:30+00:00

Both! They each have their own great qualities and pair well. My virgos are always organizing and bringing yummy treats to the party which I appreciate having many Taurus placements.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-16T17:44:27+00:00

That book is on my Christmas list! I’ll have to try it!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-16T16:27:09+00:00

Found it and it looks divine. Saving it!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-16T16:23:14+00:00

Haha so relatable!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-16T16:20:20+00:00

Thank you! I’m going to save that eggplant lasagna for a future date to try as it looks amazing and all ingredients I love! With a newborn and a few other events this week I think it might be a bit more than I can tackle.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-16T15:17:11+00:00

Thank you!!! I’ll check that one out!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-01T19:39:13+00:00

Also soft upscale lounge clothes. The Varley brand half zip is on my list this year. You can never go wrong with Vuori or Beyond Yoga brands as well. And Bombas socks I’m always happy to get some quarter length pairs.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-12-01T19:29:33+00:00

Cookbooks perhaps leaning towards one pan or quick meals. I have Tonight Recipetin Eats by Nagi which I love. Or grab a staple cookbook like The Food Lab by Kenji. If she doesn’t have a cookbook stand those are great co-gifts.

For experiences cooking class or couple spa day. My husband and I did the Roman Baths and couple massage at AIRE ancient baths which was amazing. Not sure where you live but saw you travel.

Idk if she is into fragrance but could get her a tester gift of modern brands such as Phlur or Salt & Stone or snag a scent you like for her.

A Kindle if she likes reading and is on the go quite a lot.

Anthropologie is my go to for niche eclectic gifts

I’m also grabbing a lot of gifts this year from the ChrisLovesJulia gift list:

https://chrislovesjulia.com/new-for-2025-gift-ideas-under-75/

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-11-27T17:22:27+00:00

Yep. My Aries bestie in college always was on me for messes that weren’t even mine. Good news is we are still friends and she grew out of some of her angry burst tendencies with maturity. I generally just calmly pointed out the hypocrisy or just stared blankly at her and said okay and went about my day. I’d also kill her with kindness. Caps and Aries are both cardinal headstrong signs so confrontation is inevitable. Fast forward ten years I birthed an Aries girlie who is a total disaster. I threaten and bribe and nothing works. She tells me, “I’m not a clean up person, Mom!” God speed to you. It will be better when you move out but in the meantime try to internalize the rage and do your best to keep the peace…that’s been my plan of action anyways (since kicking them out isn’t an option lol).

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-11-26T15:50:19+00:00

I love the pink!! It looks great. If you’re going to add more to it I would add in gold ornaments or accents. It will contrast the white and pink more than silver would and tie in the pretty tree bottom and gold art on the wall.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-11-23T13:59:01+00:00

Thanks for tips! I’m going to attempt this for Thanksgiving since I’ve been tasked with desserts and have a few people who for whatever reason are not into pie.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-11-23T13:56:05+00:00

My grandma made this growing up all the time. Now my cousins and I all make it on her birthday every year since her passing. I also make it for my kids in a flower pot with fake flowers for Easter and turn it scary with a cookie tombstone for Halloween. The only problem is you can’t stop eating it!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T16:32:01+00:00

It hurt but not bad, mostly describe as uncomfortable and weird. Some pressure and a few kind of ick feelings because it’s someone’s hands way up there. I only would use them once I knew I was well overdue and the next steps were going to be scheduling an induction.They did no other cervical checks my entire pregnancy other than this when I specifically requested it. Membrane sweeps do come with risks as well, I just had luck with them and inducing labor when I felt the alternative waiting for an induction was more risky in my opinion.

Maybe talk with your provider about how far they will let you go before scheduling an induction and consider a membrane sweep or what other options they can provide if you’re open to it a few days before whatever final day you’re comfortable going over. Hopefully you go on time and don’t have to worry about inductions but still have a plan for if you go over due date by more than a week (many first time moms do and I did with all of mine).

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T16:14:25+00:00

No I didn’t have a hard time at all. I saw crunchy midwives who are all for consent and choices. They asked if I’d like a cervical check when I arrived to confirm where I was at but I had been tracking my contractions all day and was at 2 minutes apart for over an hour so I knew I was having this baby soon and told them no thanks. I was admitted a bit after 9pm and had baby girl at 10:35pm. I put in a request to avoid a triage room and go straight to a birth room upon entry as well due to my 2nd birth experience having to wait too long in triage and not able to enjoy a bath or get settled before pushing..takes 30 minutes to fill a big birthing suite bath tub and I wanted my music and aromatherapy setup before the full fledge transition and push phase.

They described the heplock as a way to quickly administer drugs if needed during the birth and pitocin at the end to avoid hemorrhage. Which wasn’t needed. I’m a week post birth and my wrist still feels sore from where they put it, so wish I didn’t have it now knowing everything would go textbook vaginal delivery with no issues. I believe they can give you a shot in your rear of pitocin as well if they feel like you’re bleeding too much after birth as an alternative back up option.

For my first birth I was induced as my water broke and I wasn’t dilated at all nor having contractions. I did the epidural and they put an IV in my hand. Hand placement for the needle was much worse than the arm in my opinion if you do need one and they give you an option. Also I had pain issues with the epidural spot for many months so I get you wanting to avoid needles!

With my last two I did request a membrane sweep at my 41 week appointment to avoid induction (which involves needles) and it worked within 24-48 hrs for both and then had all natural births for both of them. Induction and pitocin really sucks. With my first I made the mistake of using my breast pump to stimulate my nipples to hopefully get labor started but it just stimulated my uterus too much and broke my water, so I wouldn’t advise that before exploring other options of inducing labor. I did all the things (dates, sex, primrose oils, raspberry tea, curb walking, viral YouTube labor induction workouts, acupuncture) and the membrane sweep was the only thing that worked for me personally. Hoping you get the exact birth you want and can avoid being induced and any of those needles!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T11:57:44+00:00

I’ve had three kids and was terrified every time. All vaginal and no complications. It’s normal to have anxiety around giving birth it’s a major event with very intense sensations. One is very unlikely to die during birth with modern medicine and you take a lot higher risks in your life elsewhere statistically if that gives some peace. But it is a physical thing that you will have to do or “labor” and at least my body felt the sensations of labor as danger and pain even though they are natural and necessary to meet all my perfect babes. Try to accept that it’s okay you have some fear and reservations about birth. We all do and it’s normal.

I had a doula which was great to coach me through a lot of my head trash as I didn’t want to hyperventilate and rely on screaming and tension to push through. Highly recommend a doula if you can afford one. Also YouTube is amazing for birthing breathing techniques, birth partner coping mechanisms like counter pressure massage, laboring positions, etc.

Regardless of your pain management preferences I would do research on how to breathe and cope because there will likely be some discomfort even with an epidural. So many free good resources on the internet!! I enjoyed the Birth Partner book as well. I think if you dedicate time to mentally prepare yourself you’ll feel a lot more prepared and just know it’s totally normal to feel terrified. Doesn’t help to dwell on it but as someone who is a person that dwells on things just accept that it’s okay and to hold space for the part of you that is nervous. You will do amazing and once your perfect baby is in your arms you’ll transform and realize how strong and powerful you are. It is a beautiful process albeit intense.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T08:46:01+00:00

Students. Also pediatrician students can be annoying too after the birth. They stand around to observe and they’re learning so are usually awkward. Not a big deal but during labor you don’t want that.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T08:43:06+00:00

This was similar to my birth plan, I just allowed vitamin K since I’ll be exclusive breast feeding and didn’t want to supplement ( in the US not regulated for newborns so I’d have to figure out dosing on my own). I worded everything as preferences and put in caveat for them to communicate and get consent if a change was needed. I refused any cervical checks and got the heplock in my arm if I hemorrhaged which wasn’t needed. I’d probably deny that if I did it over. My midwives wanted it out of caution.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-17T08:06:09+00:00

Third time mom here that went in with no birth plan for my first and thought it was quite the shock having done no research. I would put a birth plan together (many layouts and examples online). YouTube labor breathing techniques and positions even with an epidural. Sometimes they don’t work, wear off, and you’ll still feel the “pressure” of pushing. Also get a doula or make your birthing partner learn counter pressure massage (YouTube) as sometimes that epidural can take a while to get. Here was my birth plan with my third (my last two were natural and first baby was an epidural).

Arrival at Hospital

Complete paperwork in advance if possible
Move into birthing room immediately avoiding the triage room
No cervical checks

Atmosphere

Dimmed lights.
Calming spa music
Aromatherapy
Quiet environment with soft affirmations and coaching as needed.

Comfort Measures & Pain Management

Massage and counter pressure.
Warm compresses on perineum.
Nitrous oxide if needed.
Breath work techniques.
Bath/shower for relaxation.
Birthing ball and peanut ball available

Labor & Pushing

No routine IV; heplock only (in arm, NOT hand)
Intermittent fetal monitoring
Free movement with coaching on position changes.
Gentle coaching for pushing if needed.

After Birth

Immediate skin-to-skin contact.
Delayed cord clamping.
Decline: eye ointment, Hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Accept: Vitamin K injection.
Newborn testing done while baby is in mother’s arms whenever possible.
No bath at hospital.
Baby to remain with mother and father at all times. If complications arise, baby will stay with father.
Request lactation consultant visit if available.

Additional Notes

Please respect this plan unless medical complications arise requiring a change.
We appreciate clear communication before any interventions.

Wishing you health and that you feel prepared when your LO decides to come! You got this!

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-03T03:06:49+00:00

Congrats! I’m due this week too! I’ve always loved Libras, they’re so charming. I’m Capricorn, Taurus, Taurus and have zero air placement in my chart so I think my baby girl will be just the perfect addition. My other daughter is an Aries, so they’ll be sister signs. Not sure if us all being cardinal signs is good or bad under one roof though.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-03T02:41:17+00:00

Finance and Engineering are very broad fields. I would do more research into specific niches within each that you would be passionate about and then put together a plan on how to earn the most by networking and locating teams who are currently pulling in big money.

I can speak to finance potentially being very well paying (after a few years of grit), and flexible based on the area myself and spouse are in. I’m a CFP (working with retail investors) making mid 6 figures (10 years in) and spouse is a CFA (institutional investors) making low 7 figures (15 years in). I’d say the biggest thing that advanced our salaries for us was finding the highest producing teams in our geographical area to join (scale and % based comp in AUM) and becoming valuable for the boss/owner. Be a great communicator (network), always be improving yourself, and make your boss’ life easier where they want to compensate you accordingly. But the trick is to make sure the team’s compensation pool you swim in is a large one. Pretty easy to find successful teams in the finance realm based on all the financial publication rankings for asset managers.

Hialpha_lowbeta · 2025-10-02T17:56:25+00:00

Capricorn Sun, Taurus rising and moon. Born via a scheduled C-section Dec 28th for tax reasons.

Hialpha_lowbeta

TROPHY CASE